The Power of Being Good Enough

Rarely will someone say that his/her aspiration is to be “good enough.” Being a life coach I tend to hear people yearn to be the BEST. It sounds great, noble, and admirable but it is often disabling and discouraging in practice. Has one really considered what it will require to be the best chef, athlete, mother, friend, employee, etc.?  Some ambitious types even strive to be all these at once!

I can remember the internal conflict in being a mom that also wanted to work. I wanted to be the BEST mom and the BEST life coach. Interestingly, I did not even have a clear definition of what being the BEST would be and therefore lacked understanding of what that would require of me. Yet, what would I be if I could not be the best? Second best? Average? Terrible? Then in my heart, I heard the question, “Are you willing to be good enough?” 

I was unnerved and unsure. Good enough? This acceptance wouldn’t serve my ego, but it would sure serve my kids and my clients. There were times I was so focused on being my best that I was consumed with my performance and not as present for the people I love and serve. Being “good enough” would refocus and reengage me in a way that would benefit everyone.

There is something freeing and rewarding about giving yourself permission and celebration when you chose to be good enough. “Good enough” may sound like defeat at first yet it often sets people up to win in multiple areas and over the long run. Yet, it still felt risky – I haven’t seen a mother’s day coffee cup designed for the “good enough” mom. Being the BEST sounds so much more attractive doesn’t it?

Even the statement, “be the best version of you,” can invite an unnecessarily striving or procrastination. Think about it. How do you know what the best version of you is? When do you know you have achieved that?

“Life your best life” is another statement that often make people stall over what career, people, choices would make their best lives. Instead of living life, they begin analyzing it.  

There are many benefits of enjoying and engaging in life as “good enough.” Here I list a few of my favorites:

1. We live life. There is no waiting and wondering if we are getting it perfect. We don’t have to get it right or perfect – we just choose good enough and get in action.
2. We can appropriately prioritize. If there is something we want to devote enormous amounts of time and energy, we can accept that many other areas will have to be simply good enough.
3. We stop comparing. We eliminate the competitive distractions. Instead we begin looking at the good enough that serves our life and loved ones well.
4. We celebrate the process. Good enough engages us now. We learn and grow from experiences. We get feedback on what we like, who we want to be, and how we want to relate by doing it good enough. We make good enough improvements from taking good enough actions.
5. We allow others to be good enough. We benefit from all kinds of people because we see others as good enough to befriend, enjoy, connect, and trust. Relationships open us up to all kinds of good experiences.
6. We contribute TODAY in ways that are GOOD enough to positively and powerfully effect our communities and generations. You are good enough to show up and offer your good enough. You will grow into better, your skills will improve, your efficiency will increase because you were willing to show up before you were your best – you showed up good enough and we all benefited.